Referee Owens supports Mardi Gras

World renowned referee Nigel Owens today joined forces with friends of the Cardiff-Wales LGBT Mardi Gras to kick-off final preparations for the showpiece event at the Millennium Stadium this Saturday.

Wales' most capped referee has put his weight behind the festival of Equality and Diversity which will take over the iconic stadium as part of the Welsh Rugby Union's commitment to hosting 15 community events every year.

The biggest celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities in Wales comes to the national home of sport for the very first time this weekend, following a successful 13 years at the neighbouring Cooper's Field.

The lively festival is known for its carnival atmosphere and is expected to attract upward of 18,000 fans, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, for a full-day of with live music, funfair rides, a cabaret garden as well as a designated family zone during the afternoon.

For the inaugural event backed by the WRU, the Millennium Stadium celebration will include a rugby skills area aimed at engaging the LGBT community in sport.

There will also be the chance to rub shoulders with Owens, who has campaigned to stamp out sexual discrimination in sport since opening up about his sexuality in 2007.

"The Welsh Rugby Union promotes equality on and off the rugby pitch across all rugby communities and it is with pleasure and pride that I stand up with Cardiff-Wales LGBT Mardi Gras campaigners today to show my support for LGBT communities," he said.

"Sport does not and should not discriminate if we are to continue to produce such fine and successful talent in Wales and it is important that the WRU and Welsh rugby role models work together to get everyone involved in rugby, no matter what their gender or sexual orientation."

No stranger to the Mardi Gras event and, of course, the Millennium Stadium where he refereed the 2008 Heineken Cup Final, Nigel added:

"The Mardi Gras is a fantastic event, full of colour and pizzazz, and it has never failed to impress me as a great day out in Cardiff. This year's event at the Millennium Stadium is sure to be the best yet. It's an amazing venue, always putting on a good show, and in joining forces with Mardi Gras planners Cardiff is in for a treat on August 31st."

The event marks the end of a sizzling summer schedule of events at the Millennium Stadium, including British Speedway Grand Prix (1 June), Rihanna's Diamonds World Tour (10 June) and Bruce Springsteen's Wrecking Ball World Tour (23 July).

While the stadium has a rich association with major live music artists, the venue is also renowned for staging multi-artist events including Tsunami Relief Cardiff 2005, the Ryder Cup 'Welcome to Wales' celebration concert and Michael Forever tribute concert which featured Ne-Yo, Cee Lo Green and Christina Aguilera.

The Cardiff Mardi Gras 2013 promises ten hours of music and entertainment as well as advice and support for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender communities. Highlights include:

Cabaret Garden with the very best in cabaret, drag and local acts;

Youth Zone specially for 11 - 25 year olds to discuss a range of issues with qualified youth workers;

Family Zone with entertainment for young children and their families;

Community and Market Zone giving visitors the opportunity to shop from local traders and obtain advice from organisations that support the LGBT community;

• A funfair, and range of bars and catering facilities.

The event will also see the return of the Mardi Gras Parade through the city centre when festival-goers fill the streets of Cardiff with colour, floats and carnival for the occasion.

Fans can get their tickets now at the official website: http://www.cardiffmardigras.co.uk. Tickets are priced at £8 for adults, £5 for children and £20 for a family of four - while under 5s go free.

Wales and Ospreys back row James King, who came through the North Wales age grade system, nominated North Wales Regional Community Rugby Manager Marc Roberts, in the WRU's 'Diolch' initiative where squad players thanked those who played a part in their rise to the top.

Beating Merthyr has boosted Carmarthen Quins hopes of reaching a top eight spot in the Principality Premiership. Quins captain Haydn Pugh is delighted with his team's progress and is determined that everyone from the Under 6s through to the senior team, enjoys the ride.

When the Wales squad were asked to nominate individuals who played a big part in their early playing days, Wales and Dragons full back and wing Hallam Amos thought of his former Monmouth School rugby coach John Bevan.

Sam Cross and Luke Treharne have been named as co-captains of the Wales Sevens side as head coach Gareth Williams names his 12-man squad to play in the first leg of the HSBC World Series in Dubai next weekend.

Bedwas head coach Steve Law and players Nicky Griffiths and Alun Rees extol the virtues of the close knit club as they prepare to host third place RGC 1404 - who are one place head of them on the Principality Premiership points table - on Saturday.

Many of the Wales squad have said Diolch (thank you) to someone who played an important part in their early playing days by nominating them to be invited to the Wales v South Africa match. One person, Gowerton Comprehensive geography teacher Mr Dean Mason was nominated by two of his former pupils, Dan Biggar and Sam Davies.

The second WRU disability rugby pilot has been delivered, this time in Caerphilly schools, culminating in a festival at the Caerphilly Centre of Sporting Excellence, Ystrad Mynach tomorrow. Plans are in place to set up a Disability Rugby Club in Newbridge to provide long-term playing opportunities.

WRU TV: Hear from inside the Wales camp as Neil Jenkins discusses this weekend's clash with South Africa and how the squad are looking to put in a strong performance to round of the 2016 Under Armour Series